Sermon Central
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A Profitable Resolution
Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 18, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: When his life was in mortal danger, David purposed to call upon the Lord for deliverance from his enemies. The Christian is surrounded by enemies of various nature, and wise we are if we call upon God for deliverance.
A PROFITABLE RESOLUTION
“I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.” II Samuel 22:1-4
I. As was true with David, so with Christians today: our enemies are both numerous and powerful:
David lived in continual danger. Saul, king of Israel, who was jealous of David, repeatedly sought opportunity to kill him. The Philistines were the unrelenting enemies of Israel.
Our enemies are far more subtle and often go unrecognized.
1. Life’s disappointments: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” II Corinthians 4:8-9.
2. Sickness, disease and physical pain: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” Job 13:15.
3. Insidious doubt: “O thou, of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Matthew 14:31.
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.” James 1:6-7.
4. Death, and the fear thereof: “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” I Corinthians 15:26.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.” Psalm 23:4.
II. David’s profitable resolution:
“I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from my enemies.”
1. Notice whom David said he would call upon. Not the kings and armies with which he could enter into alliance….but “upon the Lord.”
2. Why such faith? David in II Samuel 22:1-3 proclaims that the Lord had delivered him from all his enemies. The Lord’s blessings in the past only served to bolster David’s faith in God in the future.
3. Praise is pleasing to God and profitable for the Christian: “I will praise the name of God and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord.” Psalm 69:30-31. And…”When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7. God may do this by changing the hearts of one’s enemies…or by totally defeating or destroying them!
